AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He waited for Jillian to argue—he'd heard it all from his siblings and parents. They'd really wanted him to get a DNA test too. But to his surprise, Jillian didn't push the issue.
“Poor Shannon.” She gazed out at his daughter with a frown furrowing in her brow.” I imagine how hard it must have been for her, living with a stranger after her mother died.”
“It wasn’t easy.” He paused at the corner of the park, waiting for Shannon and Daisy to catch up. “But we made it. My family helped. A lot.” He truly owed his family a debt of gratitude. “Between us, we surround her with love. And as I mentioned, kids are resilient.”
“Shannon is blessed to have you. Your family sounds great.” Jillian smiled and dropped the subject as Shelby and Daisy ran back toward them. “This is the road I live on, Fisher Road.
“Fisher Road?” Shannon skipped with Daisy at her heels. “Is that because there are fish nearby?”
“Not that I know of. I'm not sure why they named it that,” Jillian admitted.
“Here, take my hand as we cross the street.” He reached for Shannon’s hand and the three of them and the dog crossed the street. Alec was conscious of how much they probably looked like a typical happy family.
The thought gave him pause. Family was great, but his past experience with relationships had been anything but stellar. The way Jen had disappeared from his life without ever telling him about his daughter was proof of that.
And Shannon needed stability now, more than ever.
“This is it,” Jillian said slowing her step.
He was pleased to note her home was similar to his, a cute little Cape Cod. “It’s nice.”
“Thanks for seeing me home.”
“Our pleasure, right, squirt? “He glanced at Shannon.
“Right.” His daughter nodded. “Don't forget about my birthday party, Dr. Jillian. Saturday at three.”
Alec wished his verbose daughter would shut up about the party already, but Jillian only laughed. “I'll check my schedule.”
“That’s enough.” He gave his daughter a small frown. “Say goodbye.”
“Goodbye Dr. Jillian.”
“It was nice meeting you again, Shannon.” When Jillian glanced at him, he resisted the urge to haul her into his arms to kiss her.
“I'll—uh call you later.” He stumbled over the words, hating the moment of awkwardness. “We—Rafe and I will be in touch. About the interview.”
“I understand. I'll be around until three o’clock,” Jillian said.
Shannon tugged on his arm impatiently, reminding him that he didn't have free time that afternoon. With regret, he shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t work until this afternoon.”
“You’re working second shift again, tonight?” Jillian asked.
“Yes, you, too?” He brightened at the prospect.
She nodded. “That’s why I said I’m open until three.”
“That’s when I start, too.” Figured their work schedules happened to be one of the few things between them that might match on occasion. “I’ll let Rafe know to get in touch with you tonight—if we're not too busy,” he cautioned. “If we're slammed with calls, we won't make it.” The hard truth was that if he had to respond to violent crimes, interviewing Jillian would fall to the bottom of their list of priorities.
“I understand.” Her tone was casual, as if she wouldn't miss him if he couldn't make time for her. She turned to walk up the driveway leading to her house. “Bye, Alec. Bye, Shannon.”
“Have a great day.” He watched her walk away, wishing desperately that he could follow. He wanted to talk to her some more—and not necessarily about the narcotic case. Despite Shannon tugging on his arm, he didn't move, not an inch, until Jillian had disappeared into her house.
“Come on, Daddy. You said we were going to the park! I didn't get to play on the swing set yet.”
“I'm coming.” Reluctantly he turned and began walking back the way they'd come.
“I like Dr. Jillian. She's nice.”
